King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) involvement in the finance facility that funded the development of the Gruyere Gold Project in Western Australia has won IJGlobal's Mining & Metals Asia Pacific Finance 2018 Deal of the Year.
KWM (as legal advisers) and PCF Capital Group (as financial advisers) advised Gold Road Resources Limited in relation to its A$150 million corporate and project syndicated finance facility that resulted in the successful development of the Gruyere Gold Project, being part of the joint venture with Gold Fields. The financing syndicate comprised ING Bank Australia, National Australia Bank and Société Générale Hong Kong. The Western Australian development is set to produce first gold in the June 2019 quarter.
The KWM team that advised on the deal was led by partner John Naughton, who was supported by legal consultant Jennie Bond, senior associate Peixin Truong and solicitor Emily Bradley.
Commenting on the win, John Naughton said: "We are pleased to have advised Gold Road on the facility for the Gruyere greenfield project and to see global recognition of the flexible Gruyere financing structure. It shows the capability of KWM in advising on mining financing in a rebounding resources market and we wish the Gruyere Gold Project continued success as the mine approaches production."
